Morphological variation of endemic species, Saadi scraper (Capoeta saadi) from the Maharlu, Persis and Kor basins of Iran

To study the morphological variation of Capoeta saadii, 15 specimens from Maharlu River (Maharlu lake basin), 15 from Shapour River (Persis basin) and 15 from Kor River (Kor river basin) were collected. In the Lab, a total of 20 morphometric traits were measured using a digital caliper. Then, standardized data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA analysis, Duncan grouping, principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical variate analysis (CVA) with p-value obtained from NPMANOVA and cluster analysis (CA). The results showed that the studied populations were significantly different in 8 morphometric traits (P<0.05). Body depth was the most effective character to discriminate the studied populations. Cluster analysis also separated the Shapour population from others.